United’s Swiss miss
IT was a throw-away comment from Jose Mourinho – but one sure to have been heard within the corridors of power at Old Trafford and in Paris too.
Perhaps for a moment the United manager forgot himself – gave away a crucial tell in his game of brinkmanship as he spoke ahead of the Champions League tie with Basel.
Or perhaps it was merely a different tactic as Ed Woodward refuses to get drawn into a public negotiation over his future.
Describing England as “a country where I work and live, and probably will live for many years,” Mourinho confirmed his desire to remain on these shores.
For all his talk of the ‘special’ qualities of Paris Saint-Germain, England is where he feels at home – even if not Manchester.
But while living out of a suitcase at the Lowry is far from ideal, walking away from the biggest club in the country would be a considerable wrench.
Uncertainty over his future has been allowed to place a cloud over the club in recent weeks.
Mourinho has done little to shift it – rather indulging in it, be it flirting with PSG or pointedly observing that United won’t be his final job in football.
A significant shift for a man who spoke of his desire to manage at Old Trafford for 15 years in the summer.
Sources close to him claim he wants United to show him the love after delivering two trophies in his first season and returning them to the Champions League promised land.
An even bigger budget to compete with the resources on offer to Pep Guardiola is also desired.
From United’s point of view there is an air of calm that feels like more than just bravado.
Yes they know PSG represent a very real threat. But also know of Mourinho’s attachment to English football and are comforted by a contract, which includes an option to extend to 2020. In short, there is no panic and negotiations will continue in due course. They will also continue to back him in the transfer market. They will be at the head of the queue if Gareth Bale becomes available at the end of the season – a player Mourinho was desperate to bring to the club in the summer. Antoine Griezmann remains on their radar, as well as Danny Rose. Mourinho will be given the tools to prevent Guardiola from creating a new era of dominance for City. Perhaps dawned on him. Perhaps his throw-away comment was not so throw-away after all. James Robson that has